This research is focused on the influence of carbonate minerals on the properties of ceramic blocks as a replacement for commercial stabilizers, using three types of clays and sawdust as raw materials extracted from Chiapas, Mexico, for their application in thermal insulation on lightweight construction systems of local buildings. The effective thermal conductivity of each sample was tested by the guarded hot plate method in a permanent state, and their physical and chemical properties were determined by water absorption, X-ray powder diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy techniques. The results directed attention toward the knowledge of the role of the parameters in improving the thermal insulation properties, highlighting calcite as a favorable stabilizer in the manufacture of such blocks. Furthermore, the parameter affecting the thermal conductivity of the samples is the mass percentage of magnesium oxide (MgO) in a positive linear trend. Finally, the volumetric proportions of the sawdust as a pore-forming aggregate influence the decrease in the bulk density in the ceramic blocks and, thus, the reduction in the thermal conductivity.

This research investigates the relationship between mineralogical composition and compressive strength in alkali-activated cement–sand mortars incorporating palm oil fuel ash (POFA) as a partial replacement of Portland cement. POFA was introduced at 5 wt.% and 10 wt.% of the binder, and activation was achieved using a NaOH–Na₂SiO₃ solution (3:1 mass ratio). Compressive strength and bulk density were evaluated at 7 and 28 days, while phase evolution was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) coupled with Rietveld refinement. The results demonstrate that POFA incorporation significantly modified the CaO–SiO₂–Al₂O₃ balance of the system, promoting the consumption of portlandite and the formation of Na- and K-rich aluminosilicate phases such as albite and muscovite. The control mixture exhibited the highest compressive strength values, whereas increasing POFA content reduced both strength and density due to calcium dilution, lower gel compactness, and increased porosity. Nevertheless, all mixtures exhibited progressive strength development over time, indicating continued hydration and geopolymerization reactions associated with the formation of hybrid C–(N,K)–A–S–H gels. These findings demonstrate that POFA can effectively participate in alkali-activated hybrid binders when applied at controlled replacement levels, highlighting its potential as a sustainable supplementary material for lower-carbon cementitious systems.

El estudio experimental aborda el diseño, construcción y evaluación de un componente de cubierta prefabricada destinado a su implementación en vivienda. Este componente modular, que forma la superficie techada de la casa, está compuesto por materiales convencionales, entre ellos mortero y ladrillo rojo cocido, este último producido típicamente en la meseta central de Chiapas, México. Sus dimensiones estándar son 76 cm x 81 cm x 3 cm, con un peso promedio de 46 kilogramos. Las pruebas mecánicas y térmicas arrojaron resultados significativos, con una capacidad estructural robusta y un desempeño térmico favorable del componente prefabricado, posicionándolo como una opción prometedora para la construcción de vivienda en la región. Este enfoque innovador ofrece un potencial considerable para mejorar la eficiencia y la sostenibilidad de las soluciones de vivienda en contextos similares, destacando la importancia de la investigación experimental en la optimización de materiales y técnicas de construcción en el sector de la vivienda. Título: Mechanical and Thermal Investigation of a Component for Prefabricated Housing Roofing The experimental study focuses on the design, construction, and evaluation of a prefabricated roof component intended for implementation in housing. This modular component, which forms the roofed surface of the house, is made of conventional materials, including mortar and fired red bricks, the latter typically produced in the central plateau of Chiapas, Mexico. Its standard dimensions are 76 cm x 81 cm x 3 cm, with an average weight of 46 kilograms. Mechanical and thermal tests yielded significant results, demonstrating a robust structural capacity and favorable thermal performance of the prefabricated component. This positions it as a promising option for housing construction in the region. This innovative approach offers considerable potential to enhance the efficiency and sustainability of housing solutions in similar contexts, highlighting the importance of experimental research in optimizing materials and construction techniques within the housing sector.